Rich Resendez announces run for Lorain County sheriff in 2024

Veteran Lorain County law enforcement officer Rich Resendez formally announced Tuesday that he will run for Lorain County sheriff in 2024. Currently the chief investigator and chief of operations with the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office, the 66-year-old will be running as a Democrat. Resendez said Tuesday that he had been in contact with, or been approached by, a number of people to run for sheriff. He said he has support from inside the sheriff's office, where he formerly worked, as well as from township officials, law enforcement and labor leaders. "I think the time is right and I'll be officially jumping into the race," Resendez said. "Seeking elected office is a decision that affects both your family and the community you wish to serve." Resendez said his wife of 41 years, Lori, "has always supported me and agreed to walk this journey with me." He said "long and detailed discussions" with supporters inside the sheriff's office and out and made certain "my decision was clear." "Over the last several months, I have witnessed a distinct divide between municipal and federal law enforcement's inability to work cohesively with our current sheriff's office," Resendez wrote in his campaign announcement. "My multifaceted experience will allow this gap to be bridged for the betterment of all law enforcement but especially the citizens of Lorain County. "...Collaboration instead of individuality will be the standard within my law enforcement division. Cooperation instead of independence will be the standard for solving the upcoming jail rehabilitation concerns." Sheriff Phil Stammitti, also a Democrat, has yet to announce whether he intends to run for another four-year term. A message seeking comment on the news and on his plans was left for Stammitti on Tuesday. Resendez said he has the personal endorsements of his boss, Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson, as well as Lorain Police Chief James McCann, Oberlin Police Chief Ryan Warfield and Elyria Police Chief William Pelko. Sheffield Township trustees Chad Parsons, Tim Mihalcik and Barbara Burrill-Horton "have pledged ongoing support," as have local labor leaders Ron Adkins, Jim Slone and Amy Jaynes Brown, who "have provided their personal endorsements." Other personal endorsements have come from a number of current deputies and corrections officers at the sheriff's office and jail, including Bryan Barnes, Damian Rodriguez, Steve Fuller, Adam Trifiletti, John Schrenkel and Jason Jancsura, and those personal endorsements "are greatly valued," he said. Resendez spent 26 years with the Lorain Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant. He moved up to captain with the sheriff's office under Stammitti, serving eight years as a captain in charge of both law enforcement and jail operations. Citing budget concerns, Stammitti laid off Resendez in July 2010. Resendez subsequently announced his plan to run against Stammitti for sheriff in 2011 and the two have butted heads with each other a number of times since. Stammitti has said in the past he doesn't have anything against Resendez personally. The two men also are neighbors. Resendez didn't end up running for sheriff in 2011. Instead, he ran for county commissioner and lost to Lori Kokoski in the 2012 Democratic primary for that position. Resendez also previously supervised the Lorain County Drug Task Force, worked on a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Task Force, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and worked for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections investigating administrative and criminal violations at Grafton Correctional Institution, according to his campaign announcement. On the Republican side of the race, veteran Lorain County law enforcement officer Jack Hall has announced his intention to run for sheriff, though he has yet to officially file as a candidate. There are nearly four months for any other Democratic or Republican candidates to enter the race for sheriff. Declarations of candidacy for partisan candidates including in the sheriff's race must be filed by 4 p.m. Dec. 20, or 90 days before the March 2024 primary, according to the secretary of state's office. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.